Chapter 670 Returning to the Grasslands

As the time to leave Miao Village approached, the Holy Maiden, though open-minded and resilient, couldn't help but feel a profound sadness. At night, she curled up in her little brother's embrace, her tears soaking his chest.

Lin Wanrong had known An Biru for over a year, but this was the first time he saw her so sorrowful. Compared to their first meeting outside Jining City, where she had been charming and valiant, he now found her more genuine and endearing.

His heart brimming with tender feelings, he held her close, whispering sweet nothings, unwilling to let go for even a moment. The couple, more intimate than ever, shared a sweetness and warmth surpassing even their wedding night.

Restless with thoughts, he woke up before dawn. The night outside was still dark, speckled with stars, and both Xuzhou and Miao Village lay silent under the deep night sky.

Si De and Old Gao were already waiting downstairs, having packed everything. The Holy Maiden silently surveyed the little dwelling that had brought her so much happiness, her heart suddenly filled with a poignant longing, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Her little brother silently took her hand, his warm touch comforting. An Biru slowly leaned into him, softly asking, "When will we come back?"

"Whenever you wish," Lin Wanrong replied with a chuckle. "We'll have Yilian look after this house. Someday, our whole family will form a travel group, wandering the grasslands and Miao villages. What joyful days those will be!"

His grand idea amused An Biru, who playfully scolded him, "So you’re planning a group tour? No wonder you're always so sentimental! At this rate, the Lin family could form an army to conquer Goryeo in a few years."

"You jest, Sister!" he replied, his face flushing. He laughed it off, thinking to himself about the ginseng given by Jang Geum: while claiming a hundred victories might be an exaggeration, ten was certainly within reach.

Thinking of Yilian, he quickly looked around. The dwelling was silent, and he hadn't seen the little sister since waking. Recalling her hopeful look the night before, a tinge of melancholy touched his heart, and he gripped the Holy Maiden's hand a bit tighter.

"It's getting late," Si De whispered. "Brother San, Mrs. Lin, it's time to depart."

An Biru nodded silently, taking one last look at the cozy attic before biting her lip and swiftly stepping out with him.

As they stepped out, they were stunned. The area around Wulian Peak was crowded with Miao villagers who had gathered overnight. The valley was eerily quiet.

"Holy Maiden—" The crowd slowly knelt down, their tear-streaked faces visible even in the cold autumn wind.

An Biru's eyes moistened, and she choked up, unable to speak.

Lin Wanrong leaped onto a high platform, calling out, "My fellow villagers, please rise! Don't worry, the Holy Maiden and I will return to the Miao Village every year. This is your home, and ours as well."

"Holy Maiden!" The Miao people cried out, their sobs filling the air. The elders couldn’t hold back their tears either.

An Biru, who had dedicated her life to the Miao Village, was deeply moved by this grand farewell. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she walked, heavily reliant on her little brother's tight embrace to muster the courage to pass through the crowd.

"Holy Maiden—"

"Ah Lin Ge—"

The calls of the Miao people echoed in their ears, and as Lin Wanrong gazed into their hopeful and earnest eyes, he was deeply moved. Their love for An Biru was also a love for him. He could only continuously bow and clasp his hands in gratitude to express his heartfelt thanks.

Finally making their way down the mountain, drenched in sweat, Lin Wanrong barely had a moment to catch his breath when he heard Si De's astonished cry, "Look, what is that?!"

Atop the towering Wulian Peak, Kongming lanterns gently rose with the wind, drifting into the sky. Their warm, yellow light flickered like fireflies on the horizon.

A graceful Miao girl, her delicate hands cradling the warm light, released the lanterns one by one into the night sky. The myriad fireflies scattered across the sky, forming a shimmering, floating ribbon.

The lanterns flew further and higher, gradually blending into the vast expanse of stars. The girl stood silently, fresh tears on her cheeks.

"Yilian!" Lin Wanrong sighed deeply, his spirit merging with the boundless night sky.

An Biru gently kissed his face, whispering, "Don't worry, we will return."

They had set out as three but returned with the enchanting An Biru, their journey to the Miao Village a success. They hastened their journey, and within a few days, they reached the banks of the Jinsha River, close to crossing the Xuzhou border.

The turbulent river waters flowed ceaselessly at the confluence of the three rivers, as perilous as ever. Recalling the days of crossing the river, the small boats, the mountain songs, and the Miao girls, everything seemed as if it had happened only yesterday.

Lost in thought, Lin Wanrong suddenly felt a tight squeeze in his hand. An Biru chuckled, "Officer Gao, Si De, you both return to the capital first!"

Gao Qiu, confused, asked, "Return to the capital? Holy Maiden, what is happening?"

An Biru gently caressed Lin Wanrong's face, smiling, "Tell them that my little brother has been kidnapped by me, and I'll return him once I'm done!"

"Kidnapped?" Lin Wanrong exclaimed in surprise. "Sister, what do you mean?"

"I'm taking you somewhere," An Biru said mysteriously, winking. "A place you've always wanted to go!"

‘The place I've always wanted to go?’ Lin Wanrong's heart raced with excitement, and he shouted in delight, burying himself in An Biru's embrace, "Sister, I welcome your kidnapping—ah, why didn't you kidnap me sooner?!"

As the couple indulged in their sweet banter, Si De and Gao Qiu exchanged puzzled looks, unable to grasp what they were planning.

After sending the two men away, An Biru took Lin Wanrong's hand, casting flirtatious glances, "Little brother, do you know where we're going?"

"I don't care, wherever Sister goes, I will follow!" Lin Wanrong declared boldly.

The Holy Maiden giggled and whispered in his ear, "You could have guessed, yet you chose to flatter me. Hmm, do you think I can't handle you?"

Lin Wanrong winked and grinned, "Maybe handle me tonight? It's daytime now, not quite convenient with people around!"

An Biru blushed and pinched him on the arm, but her eyes shimmered with amusement, and she chuckled softly.

Traveling north from Xuzhou, entering Shaanxi from Sichuan, and then into Gansu, they faced a rugged and challenging journey. It took them many days before they finally saw the dust of the lands beyond the frontier.

An Biru was not in a hurry. Each day, they traveled from sunrise to sunset, making the most of their journey through the wild countryside. She occasionally took moments to playfully "discipline" Lin Wanrong, her unparalleled charm sending his nerves into a flutter, immersing him in an endless indulgence of tenderness and affection. As newlyweds, they were inseparable, spending their honeymoon in a blissful and sweet manner.

Passing through Yanchuan and Ningwu, the captivating Helan Mountain came into view. Gazing at the towering pass, Lin Wanrong sighed deeply, his thoughts drifting far away.

Since Great Hua and the Turks had signed a truce, there had been peaceful coexistence between the two nations. Within less than two months, the population of Xingqing Prefecture, which had been sparse during the war, had multiplied. Caravans of mules and horses constantly traversed the area, restoring the former glory of this borderland.

Generals like Hu Bugui and Du Xiuyuan led their armies stationed around Xingqing and Helan. Lin Wanrong and An Biru, immersed in their honeymoon, preferred not to disturb them and passed through the Helan Mountain Gorge, reentering the vast desert.

The remnants of the Battle of Wuyuan were still visible, and the scenes of past battles vividly flashed before Lin Wanrong's eyes. Revisiting these sites brought back memories of those tumultuous times.

At the border between the two countries, the long sheds stretched from the desert to the grasslands, appearing as a thin line in the distance. This place, once a sea of fiery red roses, had witnessed the impassioned and tearful days of the Great Khan. Standing on this land again, Lin Wanrong felt a heavy sensation under his feet and a dizzying sensation above, engulfed in an unreal feeling.

‘Am I really back?’ he wondered silently. ‘But where is my little sister?’ His throat dried up as he clenched his hand silently.

"Did you and Yujia negotiate here?" An Biru asked softly, caressing the sturdy wooden table.

"Yes, right here," Lin Wanrong nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the dried bouquet on the table. Memories of his fierce confrontations with Yueya'er surged, but those feelings of anger and pain had transformed into sweet recollections.

The red sea of flowers, the golden tents, the poignant dances, and the astonishing Great Khan – those two days and nights were indelible marks in his life.

Seeing Lin Wanrong silent, with a faint mist in his eyes, An Biru's heart softened. She silently took his hand and gently asked, "Do you miss her?"

"Can I choose not to answer that?" he asked quietly, his eyes darting around.

"Does that mean you do?" An Biru teased, playfully glaring at him. "You have the nerve to think of another woman in front of me! Hmph, tonight, you sleep in the desert, and I'll stay in the grassland!"

"That punishment is too harsh, isn't it?" Lin Wanrong protested with a pout, whispering in her ear, "But I also think of you in front of others. What do you say to that?"

"Thinking of me? That's expected!" An Biru chuckled lightly, her cheeks blushing beautifully.

"Indeed, my wife, you have my spirit!" Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, kissing her cheek, dispelling his gloom.

Seeing him cheer up, An Biru smiled radiantly, gently brushing the dust from his hair, and asked tenderly, "How many days will it take from here to the Turkic royal court?"

"If we ride the swift blood-sweat horses without stopping, it would still take five or six days," Lin Wanrong nodded, noticing An Biru's silent smile. Despite her apparent unconcern about the poison in Yujia, he couldn't help but ask, "Sister, can you tell me what poison my little sister has been afflicted with?"

An Biru hummed softly, "It's a poison you could never imagine."

Wasn't that the same as saying nothing? The only poisons he could think of were aphrodisiacs and knockout drugs. If it were these, would there be a need to seek Sister's help? Lin Wanrong shook his head in resignation, "Sister, can you be more specific? There's not much time left—"

Seeing his troubled and gloomy face, An Biru giggled charmingly and playfully tapped his forehead with her slender finger. "Silly little brother, why worry so much when Yueya'er herself isn't anxious?"

‘Of course, I'm anxious. Not only for little sister, but also for the little Lin in her womb! If anything happens, it would be a tragedy for two lives.’

"You and Yueya'er, really are one foolish and one oblivious," An Biru said tenderly, caressing his cheek. "Don't worry, nothing will happen. She's your little sister, would I ever harm her?"

Reassured by An Biru's promise, Lin Wanrong relaxed slightly, yet remained puzzled, "When will we go to cure her of the poison?"

An Biru's eyes twinkled mischievously, "That depends on your sincerity!"

"Sincerity? What sincerity?"

"Have you forgotten?" An Biru whispered in his ear, "On the grasslands, there is a paradise that belongs to us! You must take me back there."

Our paradise? Lin Wanrong blinked, suddenly recalling the night he parted with An Biru on the grasslands, his heart instantly filled with warmth.

A woman like An Biru, forthright and sincere, would undoubtedly achieve what she set her heart on. Her fascination with the boundless freedom of the grasslands made her desire to return there unsurprising.

He laughed heartily and jumped up, grasping her hand, "The sky as our cover, the earth as our bed, and you as my bride, Holy Maiden, let's go now!"

An Biru's cheeks flushed with a shy red, playfully scolding him, "You, the little rascal, as the groom!"

The light desert wind caressed their faces as they joyfully crossed the national boundary, hand in hand. But as Lin Wanrong stepped onto the grassland, he suddenly froze.

"What's wrong?" An Biru asked anxiously.

Beneath their feet, the green grass spread to the horizon like a vast emerald carpet. Lin Wanrong, filled with a mixture of joy and sorrow, stared silently for a long time before softly saying, "With this step, I have returned to the grasslands!"

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